Missed subarachnoid haemorrhage: The impact of a delayed diagnosis

A subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a life-threatening type of stroke caused by bleeding in the space surrounding the brain (known as the subarachnoid space). A bleed in this space often increases pressure on the brain, slows blood flow and damages nearby brain cells.

Around 85% of SAHs are caused by a ruptured brain aneurysm, when a weak area in a blood vessel balloons out and bursts. The onset of SAH is often sudden and unpredictable, and rapid treatment is vital to reduce the risk of the worst possible outcomes.

It is also around 1.6 times more common for women than men to sustain a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

What is the difference between SAH and other types of stroke?

Key differences between a subarachnoid haemorrhage and other types of strokes include:

• A ruptured aneurysm typically causes SAH, while blood clots cause most other types of stroke
• SAH usually has a more distinctive presentation
• SAH tends to affect patients aged between 40 and 60, while other strokes typically affect older age groups
• SAH can lead to complications such as vasospasm and rebleeding from the aneurysm, which are not concerns in other stroke types

What are common subarachnoid haemorrhage symptoms?

The most distinctive symptom of a subarachnoid haemorrhage is a “thunderclap” headache (or sentinel headache). This is a sudden and severe headache, considered by many as the worst headache someone can experience.

Unlike other headaches, a thunderclap headache reaches maximum intensity in seconds to minutes. This should be a strong indicator for GPs and other healthcare professionals that it is more serious than a migraine or tension headache.

Other typical subarachnoid haemorrhage symptoms include:

• A stiff neck
• Nausea and vomiting
• Light sensitivity
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Weakness on one side of the body

Who is at risk of a subarachnoid haemorrhage?

While anyone in theory can sustain a subarachnoid haemorrhage, people at the greatest risk are those with an existing cerebral (brain) aneurysm. Other risk factors include:

• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Family history of SAH

How dangerous is a subarachnoid haemorrhage?

The severity and sudden onset of a subarachnoid haemorrhage make it a highly dangerous condition. Around 45% of people who sustain an SAH pass away, while 30% of survivors suffer severe, long-term disabilities.

The risk of death or severe brain injury noticeably increases following a small rupture, with a 1.5% chance of a further bleed in the two weeks after the first rupture.

These are not just statistics – they represent real people. A delay or failure to diagnose subarachnoid haemorrhage can quickly have devastating consequences for the patient and their loved ones, and be grounds for a negligence claim.

If you believe that you or someone you love suffered due to an avoidable delay in diagnosing or treating a subarachnoid haemorrhage, you are entitled to pursue a brain injury negligence claim.

Your first step is to contact a specialist medical negligence solicitor or firm for a free initial consultation. At Gadsby Wicks, we will arrange a meeting with our experienced nurse advisers to discuss what happened to you or your loved one. 

Our team will carefully review your case and, where we believe we can help, we assign one dedicated solicitor to guide you from start to finish. They will explain the claims process to you, answer any questions you have at any time, investigate all available evidence and handle negotiations with the defendants on your behalf.

Keeping you informed at every step of the process and treating your case with the care and compassion you deserve, we do everything in our power to get the answers you are looking for and secure your family’s financial future.

How do I prove a subarachnoid haemorrhage claim? (H3)

In any delayed diagnosis negligence claim, you must prove three key elements:

1. Your healthcare provider breached their duty of care to you
2. The delay in diagnosis was significant
3. The breach of duty directly caused the delay in diagnosis (causation)

For a delay to be considered significant, you must prove that the delay resulted in a worse outcome than what would have happened with no delay. If the patient had sustained the same injuries in any event, there is no negligence claim, even if there was a breach of duty of care.

We understand this can be difficult to hear, particularly if you have already been through so much. Our role is to help you understand what evidence exists and whether a claim is viable with honesty and compassion.

Evidence needed to prove a misdiagnosis claim of this nature includes:

• Medical records
• Witness statements
• Photography and other media
• Financial records
• Complaints correspondence

We also work with impartial, independent medical experts to determine whether there was a breach of duty of care, and if an earlier diagnosis would have led to a better outcome.

Is there a time limit to make a brain injury claim? (H3)

The typical limitation period for medical negligence in the UK is three years from the date of the injury or Date of Knowledge (when the patient should have become aware that something was wrong).

However, there are exceptions to this rule:

• Claimants under the age of 18 have until their 21st birthday to launch a claim
• Claimants who lack mental capacity (possibly through a brain injury) can claim at any time – there is no limitation period
• If the claimant dies after their claim has started, the three-year time limit restarts from their date of death

In all circumstances, we encourage you to start your claim as soon as possible, to ensure that evidence remains fresh.

Can I make a claim if my loved one died?

Losing someone due to a missed diagnosis is one of the most painful experiences imaginable, and you may have the right to seek justice on their behalf.

You can make a claim on behalf of a loved one who died after a missed subarachnoid haemorrhage if:

1. You are named as a beneficiary of their estate in their will (or under intestacy law)
2. You are entitled to claim a bereavement award under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976
3. You were dependent on the deceased either financially or for services that the deceased provided you when they died

For more information, please refer to our page on death by medical negligence claims.

Subarachnoid haemorrhages may be rare, but that is no excuse if healthcare providers miss key symptoms, fail to refer or escalate care, or inadequately monitor their patients’ wellbeing.

When a missed subarachnoid haemorrhage has the potential to leave a patient permanently disabled or cost them their life, we leave no stone unturned to ensure those affected by negligent treatment get the compensation, answers and justice they deserve.

Since 1993, we have represented hundreds of brain injury claims and recovered millions in damages. We guide you through every step of the process with compassion and clarity, to achieve a settlement that protects you and your family’s future.

• Over 5,000 cases managed and over £300 million recovered in compensation
• Solicitors accredited by The Law Society, APIL, AvMA and more reputable industry bodies
• 96% of claims settled without entering a courtroom
• A strict ‘no win, no fee’ basis, so you pay nothing at any stage of the process

Start your claim with us today, or contact us directly to discuss your situation.

Disclaimer

All content contained within this article is meant for general information only – this should not be treated as a substitute for medical advice from your doctor or another healthcare provider. If you require legal advice specific to your situation, please contact our team directly.

Gadsby Wicks is not liable for any diagnosis made from the content of this article, nor does it endorse any service or external site linked to within the article.

Always consult your GP if you are concerned about your health and wellbeing, or speak to us if you require legal advice.